Country Manager, Salon, Czech Republic

Founded in Japan in 1887, Kao is passionate about making a difference in people's lives with our high-quality products and services to create a Kirei Life for all – a beautiful life that respects the needs of our consumers and customers as well as the planet. We never compromise on quality and craft our products with care for the consumer and the environment. As a company driven by purpose and strong corporate values, we pride ourselves to be listed among the World´s Most Ethical Companies since 16 consecutive years. Our corporate philosophy, the Kao Way, guides us in everything we do – acting with integrity, courageously driving innovation, and treating each other with trust and respect.

The Role

This role is fully P&L responsible for the salon business within Czech Republic and Slovakia and is tasked with driving both the sales and profit of the assigned market through implementation of the short and mid term (3-5 year) business strategy whilst ensuring adherence to company policy and the Global Salon Strategy. Realizing local market business opportunities whilst ensuring that brand equity is built is core to the success of this role.

It is critical that this role be able to represent the company internally by driving a high performing culture to ensure that internal talent and resources are leveraged and maximized to support current and future business needs.

Key Responsibilities

• Accountable for defining customer trade terms and promotions (within the regional guidelines) and deployment of the toolbox to local sales teams. To understand the needs of the different customers and guide the organization in meeting those needs. Responsible for driving and managing local Ideas/Business Case Pitch (innovation) - within the defined global innovation process.
• Accountable for the development of: the local activity calendar, communication plan to include social media and online, the execution of local Brand PR events, the local Annual Education and Activity Plan, an integrated SME Salon Activity Master plan. Responsible for analyzing monthly the Key Business Drivers and reporting the Customer Experience, taking action where necessary.
• Ensure adequate feedback systems are in place to gather up to date relevant industry and customer information. Maximise the sales and profitability of the customer and opportunities (both individual and channel as appropriate), share and reapply. Focus this on business orientated customers and chain salons including global chains. Responsible for the execution process for Loan applications from customers, including approval.
• Responsible for driving performance through people. Ensuring that we have the talent to support both the current and future business needs. Ensure that KPI's and success measures are established and drive business results. This includes fostering solid working relationships with the respective functional partners of and SME organisation, SCM, HCD, Finance and Legal. Responsible for the adoption of corporate standards and ensuring that they are observed and implemented.
• Fully accountable for the overall profit and loss (P&L) of the salon business in the market. This role will be expected to meet the targets set within the defined budget, monitor expenditure and progress against the plan and take appropriate measures to keep on course, ensuring that relevant parties are kept informed as needed. Ensure that budgets and forecasts are prepared and submitted timely as per the set time lines.
  
• Represent the company externally, through participation in industry bodies and in the market visibility with customers on a regular basis.

Managerial Responsibilities

This role will be responsible for all elements of people management with regards to recruiting, performance management, career and succession planning, employee engagement and motivation, rewards and recognition and elements of employee relations. As the salon country leader this role will be expected to lead by example and for also ensuring that good people management practices are being followed by leaders and managers throughout the team.

Attendance and membership may be required for various internal leadership bodies, depending on local country governance and legal requirements. Some of those bodies may require domestic or international travel to participate in.

Functional Competencies

• Relationship Building
• Influencing and Negotiation
• Commercial Awareness
• Result Driven
• Strategic Thinking
• Decision Making
• Customer Service Driven

Education - Professional Experience and other Requirements

• Masters degree preferred. Bachelors degree acceptable. The degree should be in Marketing, Finance, Economics, or Management, however a proven track record is the most critical element.
• A background in sales and marketing is preferred
• Strong people management experience is required
• Experience of managing P&L´s, in particular managing above and below the line and ensuring optimal operating income and top line sales growth
• Will be required to travel both domestically and internationally as needed.

How we work: Having been selected among the World´s Most Ethical Companies for 16 consecutive years, we are a company with a purpose and strong corporate values. We never compromise on quality and craft our products with care for the consumer and the environment. At Kao, each employee can actively shape their job and their career. We work collaboratively to achieve our common goals, always aiming to deliver the best for our customers.

What we offer: A friendly and flexible work environment with competitive salaries, benefits package, ongoing development and the opportunity to enhance your skills and deliver tangible results. At Kao your voice will be heard. Your opinion really counts. We believe that change comes from taking opportunities into your own hands, so we value and reward entrepreneurial thinking and innovation.

Hiring Process: Kao embraces the diversity and the individual personalities of its people because we believe it is diversity that makes us strong. This is why we welcome applications from all areas of the global community.

Want to learn more: If you feel you are as unique as our products and want to find out why 33,000 people across the globe opted for a career with us please visit our Americas website ) or EMEA website )